The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the start of the third year of its river creel survey on the Saranac and Boquet Rivers, both tributaries to Lake Champlain. The survey is a key part of the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative’s ongoing efforts to assess and restore salmon populations.
“Gathering firsthand information from angler surveys is imperative to fisheries research in the Lake Champlain watershed,” said Regional Director Joe Zalewski. “The data gleaned from the hundreds of interviews collected so far in the study are tremendously impactful towards informing management actions that benefit the fishery and further benefit anglers. We encourage anglers to take part in this continued survey opportunity when out enjoying the abundant Saranac and Bouquet Rivers.”
Beginning September 15, 2025, the survey will focus on Atlantic salmon spawning runs in both rivers. DEC fisheries biologists aim to better understand how anglers use these rivers, what they catch and harvest, as well as their expectations for salmon fishing in the Champlain basin. The information collected will help shape a management plan for these rivers.
Anglers are asked to voluntarily share details about their fishing experiences, including their preferred target species, number of fish caught or kept, and satisfaction with the salmon fishery. If permitted by anglers, biological data will also be collected from caught fish—such as length, fin clips, sea lamprey wounds, and genetic samples.
Survey locations on the Saranac River include Green Street fishing access, Allen Street (private), and below Imperial Dam in Plattsburgh. On the Boquet River, surveys will cover areas from Willsboro’s Gilliland Park boat launch upstream to just below the cascades.
A report summarizing findings from this survey season will be released in Spring 2026 on DEC’s website. More information about DEC Region 5 research can also be found on its website.
